Social Issues

Our Editorial Board recognizes the following fact – – America is continuing to become a more diverse country. This diversity includes not only ethnic diversity, but also cultural (i.e., “values”) diversity. We applaud this diversity – we view this as a natural by-product of being one of the most prosperous countries in the world, with substantial (and unalienable) personal freedoms. People want to live here. However, this diversity also contributes to much of the “noise” within the public discourse and has a significant effect on the country’s political process.

We also recognize that there are not any “absolutes” in regards to many of these social issues, and that in most cases, there is no single “absolutely right” or single “absolutely wrong” answer to the issue.

Our “Join the Conversation” page includes our Editorial Board’s thoughts on a number of current social issues. Our Editorial Board’s belief is that the conversation on a number of social issues can be conducted within the context of personal responsibility (and personal rights, choices and freedoms) versus a government program.

As noted elsewhere, our Editorial Board does not feel that there are any major changes that need to be made to the social contract between our country’s citizens and our federal government (the US Constitution) other than Term Limits.

Accordingly, the members of our Editorial Board are strong supporters of the Bill of Rights

– The First Amendment, which addresses religious freedoms, freedom of speech and the Press, and the Rights of the citizenry to assemble and petition the government to address any grievances
– The Second Amendment, which addresses the Right to bear arms
– The Fourth Amendment, which addresses the Rights of the citizenry to be secure against unreasonable searches and seizures
– And the Tenth Amendment, which specifies that powers not delegated to the US government by the Constitution, are reserved to the states and (as applicable) to the people themselves.

In regards to the Tenth Amendment, you will note on the “Join the Conversation” page that our Editorial Board has put forth a number of Conversation Pieces on what the scope of the US government should be, and what should be moved to the states, or to local governmental units, or the private sector, or be addressed by personal responsibility (rather than another government program).

Our Editorial Board believes that the country is currently where we’re at (at this point in time in our history) and we got here with the “best of intentions”. Do we need to fix some things? Yes (this is what the political process is all about). Are there any “absolute right(s)” and “absolute wrong(s)”? No – But the country needs to make some tough decisions (now, not later) in order to move towards a better “desired state”. Do each of us have a personal responsibility to participate in the process? Our Editorial Board believes so.